One arrested, more expected in (alleged) failed ambush

The Drew County Sheriff’s Office has made one arrest and expect more in the (alleged) failed ambush of a 20-year-old Warren man who reportedly was set up by a 17-year-old Monticello girl.

The incident is said to have occurred on Old Warren Road in Drew County during the late night hours of December 1 when Josh Smith says he met the 17-year-old girl who reportedly set the man up to be ambushed by two young adult males and a juvenile male, according to Lt. Tim Nichols, a criminal investigator with the Drew County Sheriff’s Office. [The photo above pictures the location of the alleged incident.]

Smith said he was supposed to meet two girls on Old Warren Road. When he arrived, a female got into his vehicle. Shortly thereafter, three males exited the female’s vehicle and began shooting, according to Nichols.

While attempting to flee the gunfire, Smith’s vehicle became stuck in a ditch. He told investigators that while stuck in the ditch, he noticed two of the males approaching his vehicle. He said he grabbed his rifle and returned fire. The males then ran back to their vehicle and fled, leaving the female behind. She was later picked up by the other suspects, according to Nichols.

No one was struck by the gunfire, Nichols said.

One of the suspects, Devontrius Chaffin, 17, of Monticello, was arrested on December 10 and released on bond. Meanwhile, Circuit Judge Bynum Gibson has issued a bench warrant for Sam Hopkins III, 19, Dakota Hawkins, 18, and the 17-year-old girl, all of Monticello. The juveniles have been certified as adults by the 10th Judicial District Prosecutor’s Office.